How to Become a Teacher in Canada: Requirements and Steps (2026)

Dreaming of a career where you can truly make a difference? Teaching is an extremely rewarding path that can help you leave a lasting impact on young people’s lives. While teaching is by no means an easy job, it brings many people a deep sense of fulfillment. So how do you get there? We’ve put together this guide to help you learn step-by-step how to become a Teacher in Canada.

Becoming a Teacher requires a Degree and a Bachelor of Education (BEd) from one of Canada’s excellent education programs. You’ll also need real-world experience and Certification before applying for jobs. Keep reading to learn about specific provincial requirements, how to get a Teaching License in Canada, and must-have skills to take charge of the classroom. 

1. Decide on Your Goals

First, narrow your goals by asking yourself the following questions: 

• Which province/territory do you want to teach in?
• Do you want to work in early childhood education (ECE), elementary, or secondary school?
• What subject(s) do you want to teach?
• Do you want to pursue a specialization?

These will determine the requirements you’ll need to meet to get certified.

Your goals may shift as you move through your education and gain experience. That’s perfectly okay — just keep a running list of your updated ambitions. Your list will help you stay on track and make informed career decisions.

2. Complete Post-Secondary Education

What education is required to be a teacher in Canada? The first requirement is a post-secondary education. This means completing a four-year Bachelor’s Degree. You may choose to major in education or another subject. Just make sure to choose a “teachable” subject, such as math, physics, English, history, or biology. 

3. Gain Real-World Experience

While completing post-secondary education, you’ll need to start gaining teaching experience. Actively working with students will help you decide if the path is truly right for you. If it is, you’ll start to build confidence in the classroom. You’ll also improve your resume and future employability. 

Many Educational Degrees offer hands-on teaching experience and practicums. You can also shadow Teachers, tutor, and volunteer with after-school programs, preschools, and summer camps. 

Be intentional about the experiences you sign up for. You may want to volunteer with a few different age groups to see which group you connect with best. 

You might also pursue an alternative path before becoming a Teacher, like working as an Educational Assistant — someone who supports Teachers, assists students with special needs, and helps create a positive learning environment. A job like this comes with invaluable experience that will serve you well in a career as an educator. 

4. Enroll in a Teacher Education Program

After completing your post-secondary education, you must earn a BEd from a teacher education program or teacher’s college. 

Teacher’s college usually lasts one to two years. That’s around five to six total years of education to become a teacher (a four-year Degree plus one to two-year BEd). However, if your college offers a concurrent program, you may be able to shorten the time frame.

Your application to a Teacher Education Program will involve submitting your academic transcripts and a summary of your work experience. In your program, you’ll learn practical teaching skills and techniques, pedagogy, teaching methodology, and classroom management. Programs can also specialize in age groups (elementary or secondary).

However, a BEd isn’t necessarily the only path to teaching. If you want to work with children under the age of five, you might instead complete an Early Childhood Education diploma program, which can qualify you for certification in some provinces. 

Or let’s say you want to know how to become a teacher in Ontario without a degree — while a BEd is required for many traditional teaching jobs, you may be able to go an alternate route, like teaching English as a second language. 

5. Secure Provincial Certification

Once you have your education under your belt, you need to get certified to teach. Requirements for Certification differ by province/territory. 

Within each province/territory, requirements will also vary by Certification type, international status, and whether or not you earned your Degree within the province/territory. If you need to know how to become a teacher in BC, you might need coursework and experience that are different from those in New Brunswick. 

Check your province’s official resource page (linked below) for detailed information. 

6. Apply for Teaching Positions

Once you’re certified, you can start applying for teaching positions. You’ll need a standout resume that shows off all the work you’ve done to get here. At the top, create a header with your name, contact information, and official Teaching Certification. You may need to include a short statement about why you qualify for the job you’re applying for. Then, list your education and work experiences.

Plenty of Teachers also start out in supporting roles in the classroom, such as Educational Assistants or Substitute Teachers. These can be great stepping stones on the way to becoming a fully credentialed Teacher. If you’re shifting from one of these jobs to a teaching role, they’ll look particularly impressive on a resume.

To find jobs, you may have luck contacting your local school board to inquire about openings. Here are a few more resources that may help you in your job search:

• Education Canada 
• Teach for Canada
• Indeed

7. Stay Up to Date on Best Practices and Credentials

As a Teacher, it’s important to keep your resume up-to-date by attending conferences, taking classes, and staying informed about best practices in education. Many provinces require you to renew your Certification periodically, so it’s important to stay on top of that as well. 

To stay informed, join professional networks, monitor new classroom technologies, and read books about your industry. 

Required Skills for Becoming a Teacher

Great Teachers have a range of skills in their back pockets. You can cultivate these skills through education, personal development courses, and hands-on experience in the classroom. Here’s a quick list:

• Problem-solving: Problem-solving abilities help Teachers address disruptive behavior, design curriculums, and adapt to students’ needs.
• Patience: Building patience is critical for teachers to work empathetically with students of all different learning paces. 
• Communication: Teachers must be great communicators to convey information and help students digest complex concepts. They must also be able to communicate well with parents and colleagues. 
• Leadership: Teachers must demonstrate admirable leadership to act as mentors, role models, and guides for students. 
• Conflict resolution: This is essential for dealing with behavioral issues and disagreements in the classroom.
• Time management: Time management is vital to balance grading, administrative tasks, lesson planning, and more. 
• Organization: Establishing a calendar, planning lessons, and tracking student work all require a high level of organization.

Start Your Education Career With Robertson College

No two days in the classroom are the same. Teachers exercise constant creativity and critical thinking while contributing to the personal growth of young students. Eager to start?

Now that you’re familiar with how to become a Teacher, you can explore your education options. Career college options like Robertson College offer quicker programs to help you start your meaningful career in education sooner. 

If you’re interested in providing crucial support to teachers and students, learn about Robertson’s online Educational Assistant program.

FAQ

How Do I Get Started as a Teacher? 

To get started as a teacher in Canada, you’ll need to work toward Certification. Though the requirements vary by province, typically, you’ll need to earn a four-year Bachelor’s Degree and then enroll in a teacher education program. 

Make sure to gain hands-on experience in the classroom through volunteering or entry-level positions along the way. 

How Long Does It Take To Become a Teacher?

It takes around five to six years of education to become a teacher in Canada. The most traditional path is to earn a Bachelor’s Degree and then complete a one- to two-year teacher education program to qualify for teaching certification.

How Much Does It Cost To Become a Teacher in Canada?

Teachers following the traditional path must pay tuition for a four-year Undergraduate Degree and a BEd from a teacher’s college. Top Universities reports that an Undergraduate Degree costs an average of $6,463 per year for a Canadian citizen studying in Canada. 

The cost of a one- to two-year teaching college can vary. For example, Brock University’s teaching education program costs over $7,307.28 in tuition. Note that tuition costs will be much higher for international students.

Are Teachers Paid Well in Canada?

Yes, Teachers are generally paid well in Canada. The average Secondary Teacher’s salary is between $26.92/hour and 53.85/hour. Teaching also usually comes with insurance benefits and a pension plan. Some Teachers may qualify for grants and awards. 

Though post-secondary education requires more schooling and experience, professors have one of the highest-paying jobs in Canada. 

Are Teachers In-Demand in Canada?

Yes, due to a teacher shortage in several provinces, teaching is currently an in-demand job in Canada.

Because of this demand, many teachers are immigrating to Canada. MDC Canada reports that there will be 121,100 jobs for Elementary and Kindergarten Teachers and 52,100 jobs for Secondary School Teachers over the next 10 years.

Take the first step in your education career with Robertson College’s Educational Assistant program.